Sample-case



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. H. STUART.

SAMPLE CASE.

N0. 494,394 Patented Mar. 28, 1893.-

Wdness 66 v I I III/00111601:

Um'rno STATE PATENT Ornicn.

RICHARD H. STUART, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SAM PLE-CAS E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 494,394, dated March28, 1893.

Application filed November 28, 1892. Serial No, 453,384. (No model.)

To aZZ- whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD H. STUART, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented. certainImprovements in Show or Sample 1(gases, of which the following is aspecificaion.

The object of my invention is to construct a compact and. convenientform of show case or sample case for the display of stationery and. likearticles, and this object I attain in the manner hereinafter set forth,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, isa sectional perspective view of a show or sample case constructed inaccordance with my invention. Fig. 2, is a transverse sectional view ofthe same. Fig. 3, is a sectional perspective view of part of the case.Fig. 4, is a perspective view of one of the trays or shelves of thecase; and Fig. 5, is a view illustrating a modification of part of theinvention.

The fixed structure of the case comprises the base A, back B and ends D,the case also having a hinged door or doors F for closing the front ofthe same, and a hinged lid or cover G for closing the top, said hingedlid or cover being connected to the ends of the case by means of pivotedlinks a, so that when it is raised it will be supported in the slightlyinclined position represented in Fig. 2.

Each of the ends D of the case is provided with a series of ledges orsteps b one for each of the exhibiting shelves or trays, each of thelatter consisting by preference of a main portion I upon which theobjects to be exhibited are secured, and a rear strip I slightly longerthan the portion I, as shown in Fig. 4. When the shelves are containedwithin the case they rest at the opposite ends upon the steps or ledgesb and the projecting ends of each of the strips 1 enter recesses clformed in the ends of the casing, these recesses being of graduallyincreasing length from the top to the bottom of the case so that each ofthe shelves below the top can be pulled forward to a certain extent inthe case before being swung upward, the extent of forward movement ofthe shelves increasing from top to bottom so that when the shelves aredrawn out to the full extent and. then raised they will overlap oneanother, as shown in Fig. 2.

On the inner face of each of the ends D of the case are projectionsor'shoulders f which serve as stops for the exhibiting shelves when thelatter are raised, and thus prevent them from coming in contact witheach other, as shown in Fig. 2.

By means of the case described I am enabled to store the samples in verycompact form, as both sides of each shelf are available for thereception and display of the different articles,

those on the top of the shelf being examined while the latter occupiesits horizontal position within the case, and those on the bottom of theshelf being brought into view when the shelf is drawn forward and turnedupward in the manner before described. Moreover, as the case has a tightfitting door and cover or lid, the samples are protected from dust anddirt and are therefore preserved at all times in good condition.

It is not necessary, in all cases, to form the shelves in two partshinged together, as it will be apparent that a single shelf might beprovided with projecting pintles, such for instance as shown at i inFig. 5, for adaptation to the slots or recesses d.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent- 1. The Within described show or sample case consistingof an outer casing, and a series of superposed shelves having projectingportions adapted to guides of varying length in the ends of the casingso that the shelves can be first drawn forward and then turned up so asto overlap, substantially as specified.

2. The within described show or sample case consisting of an outercasing having guides of varying lengths in the end portions, and shelveseach composed of two parts hinged together, the rear portion havingprojecting ends adapted to said guides, substantially as specified.

3. The within described show or sample case consisting of an outercasing having at its ends guides of varying lengths, and shoulders orprojections terminating at the ends of said guides, in combination withexhibiting shelves having pivot portions adapted to the guides, whereby,when the shelves are turned upward the shoulders or projections serve tosupport the same, substantially as specified.

4. The within described show or sample caseconsisting of a fixed casinghaving in its ends guides of different lengths for the successiveshelves, a door for closing the front of the case, a lid or cover forclosing the top of the 10 same, and shelves having pivot portionsadapted to the guides in the ends of the case, substantially asspecified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD H. STUART. \Vitnesses:

FRANK E. BECHTOLD, JOSEPH H. KLEIN.

